Wednesday - "Thankful for my Church"

Greetings Internet Campus Family,

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.


I was in the chat room last weekend and I sent a message to Pastor Allen DiStefano who happened to be in there with me during services. I asked him, "Did you ever think that you'd be worshiping with people from around the world online?" That's the same question that I pose to you... Isn't this amazing?

The Internet Campus didn't even exist a year or so ago... but today we are here and connecting people together from around the globe. Every weekend, when you click that button to enter the campus, there are people that don't speak your language...don't look like you...and are thousands of miles away clicking the same button. Worshiping the same God at the same time. Truly...one church where YOU are! That's something to be thankful for.

There are so many stories to share about people who have had their lives changed on the Internet Campus...You heard from Carol last weekend tell her story about baptism and life change...We have people being baptized online and from around the world... In 2008, we have had over 30 salvations online so far... There have been nearly 20 baptized from the Internet Campus... There are 5 regional small groups that are running over 35 total people on the weekend... You can attend 2 online small groups during the week... Giving to the Internet Campus is up... There are prayer requests submitted every day from around the world to the Internet Campus...

God is doing something amazing online.... and YOU are a part of it. Now, that's something to be grateful for!

I believe that there are three ways that you can show your gratitude for your church.

1) Pray for Pastor Troy - A great way to tell God how grateful you are is by praying for our lead pastor. God has brought Pastor Troy to FRC and given him the vision for where we are going. That's no small responsibility. Please pray for Pastor Troy and let God know that you are thankful to Him for providing such a gifted leader.

2) Pray for the Internet Campus team - I am blessed with the calling to lead this campus. I can't tell you how much it means to me to be able to connect and help so many people from around the world. However, I don't do it alone... There is a great team of men and women from around the world that lead our chat teams, our prayer team, and our technical team here in the studio. We also have great small group leaders who take the Internet Campus attendees to a whole other level each weekend! Please pray for Pastor Arturo and myself as we strive each weekend to bring you the best experience possible to grow closer to Christ.

3) Pray for each other - It's amazing to me how much community and connection exists on the weekends. From the chat rooms to the prayer requests, so many of you are making real relationships happen online. Take a second today and lift up those that you attend with on the weekends. Imagine the impact that we can have globally if we know that people from nearly every continent are praying for each other's needs. That's something to be thankful for!

I believe in my heart that the Internet Campus is just getting started. God is doing incredible things online and we have so much to be thankful to Him for. Let's demonstrate our gratitude this morning by thanking Him for the impact that His Internet Campus is having on the world.

Until Tomorrow,
Pastor Brian

PS: If you are interested in things technical (or just want a good laugh or two...) check out my latest project... the WebChurch Podcast - www.webchurchpodcast.com

Tuesday - "Thankful for What I Have"

Greetings Internet Campus Family,

1 Chronicles 29:13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!

I was sitting down the other day looking through some of my favorite websites that have to do with technology. After reading through a few articles, I came across a piece that I was almost afraid to read. I read that they were coming out with a brand new iPhone! WOW! I couldn't believe it! It was described as having all of these amazing new features and perhaps a great lower price...

I just have to have one!

Or do I. You know, last summer I sat in front of the AT&T store for 11 hours waiting to get the phone I currently use. I remember the day I brought it home...I unwrapped it slowly...read the entire users manual...and showed it off to all of my friends. This would be the phone that I was going to use forever, I thought at the time...

Isn't it amazing that we feel like our new car/house/purse/pair of jeans/etc. has to be upgraded over time? When we get it....it is GREAT! Then slowly it disappears in a box to be given away... My question this morning is this...does it always have to be the latest and greatest to be enjoyed? Why aren't we more grateful for what we have rather than quest after what we don't.

Do you remember the story of the Israelites and Moses? Moses was leading them through the wilderness to freedom...they had escaped the pursuit of the Egyptians...God had provided them a capable leader and food to eat every morning...and how did they respond? Gratefully? No, they wanted meat to eat. Instead of thank you...God was getting the question "What's next?" Were the Israelites grateful...no. Are we grateful all the time? Not usually.

Here's today's challenge... in your journal make a list of 10 things that God has given you. Then say a prayer thanking Him for what He has provided...and for forgiveness, perhaps, for coveting what He has not.

Let's be grateful for God's provisions...He takes such good care of us!

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian